Sexual drive, also known as libido, tends to decline as men reach middle age but what age does a man stop ejaculating? Read our guide to find out!
Sexual drive, also known as libido, tends to decline as men reach middle age. It is generally caused by naturally changing hormone production as we grow old, most commonly testosterone.
Testosterone regulates sexually active behavior. During middle age, testosterone levels are naturally declining. Testosterone levels peak at the age of 18 or 19 before falling throughout adulthood.
In addition, as men age, their refractory period grows. Younger people in their teenage years may be able to begin having sex again after a few minutes. However, in older men, the recovery time can take longer. Despite decreased testosterone production in every additional decade of life, with a balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, and exercise, men can reduce the time between their ability to ejaculate again.
When Do Men Stop Having Sexual Intercourse?
The ages of men who give up their sexual activity differ greatly. Nevertheless, some studies indicate men can continue to have a sexually active life into their 70s and 80s. University of Illinois researchers investigated the relationship between age and sexual activity in men throughout the United States.1 The ongoing study derived data from large-scale US population survey findings and reported that 72% of men aged 75 to 85 had maintained their sexual activities.
At What Age Does a Man Stop Getting Hard and Ejaculating?
The central nervous system controls ejaculation. During sexual arousal, signals are transmitted from the brain to a man’s reproductive organs, forcing semen from the penis in a process known as ejaculation.
There is no set age when a man stops ejaculating and many men remain sexually active well after their retirement age. However, in many cases, the amount of semen ejaculated decreases with age, going from the copious quantities produced in youth to a mere dribble in older men.
Aging isn’t good for your genitals. Body changes occur, and testosterone levels decrease. Sadly, your penis gets older, and the rest of your body behaves accordingly. As time passes, our bodies begin to change. The fatal combination of genetics and nature manifests itself. Our lives are changing, and this affects our sexuality.
What can be done to help keep your sexual health up to date? Keep reading to find out.
An Important Male Sexual Health Problem
You might be surprised to learn that the number one male sexual disorder isn’t erectile dysfunction (ED). You’d think that with how much money is spent on trying to treat erectile dysfunction with remedies such as medications, ads, and little blue tablets promising to cure you of ED, this was the most frequent male sexual condition. But it isn’t.
Premature ejaculation, commonly characterized as not being able to have the physical act of penetrative intercourse for more than 2-3 minutes, affects more men than any other disorder, despite their age. According to some peer-reviewed studies, from 30% to up to 75% of men have this ejaculation problem.2
In any case, it’s a large number, and the condition can harm a man’s physiological well-being and sexual performance. The need to treat premature ejaculation in most men, including young men, should receive more focus from medical associations.
Although premature ejaculation can happen at any age, it can be a problem for men with ED and ED is increasingly common as a man ages. Since erections go away after a man ejaculates, it can sometimes be difficult to tell if the problem is premature ejaculation or ED. Your healthcare provider can do some detective work to find out.
Erectile Dysfunction in Older Men Is Still a Common Issue
The rate of new cases of ED in men begins rising over the age of 40. The problem in older men may not be that they have stopped ejaculating but rather that they have softer erections that get in the way of sexual activity.
As a result, more men are seeking treatment for this condition. Erectile dysfunction can affect men of any age, but it is most common in older guys. ED can be caused by many physical and mental factors, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions like depression.
ED, which is commonly described as the inability to develop or sustain an erection sufficient for the sexual enjoyment of both partners, is ranked second in common male sexual disorders.
By the age of 40, over half of all males have had ED at some point. With each passing decade, this figure rises. In the USA alone, it is estimated that 18 to 30 million guys suffer from ED.3 There are several causes for this illness, which we will discuss further below.
Does Your Penis Actually Shrink with Age?
The third most common issue is the horrific thought of the shrinking penis. Yes, you read that right. As you get older, your penis shrinks. This is the most severe sexual dysfunction, in our opinion. So, what is the cause? Weight increase, prostate surgery, lack of usage (aka disuse atrophy), Peyronie’s Disease, and prostate cancer surgery are all causes.
What Is The Cause of My Poor Sexual Function?
Men’s sexual health conditions and performance deteriorate for various physical causes throughout time. The list below includes some fundamental causes of male reproductive issues that affect older men.
- Multiple sclerosis
- Surgery or therapy for prostate cancer
- Prostate gland enlargement
- Testosterone deficiency reducing sex drive
- Anxiety over performance
- Peyronie’s Disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Spinal cord injury
- Heart disease or heart attack
- Vascular disorders
- Certain medications
- Damage to nerves
- Excess alcohol
How to Stay Sexually Active as an Older Guy
Although it’s typical for sexual desire to decrease as we age, it is no longer necessary to give up in your 60s and 70s, and even 80s. Taking the steps needed to reduce the risk for sexual dysfunction in older adults by using medication to treat the condition will always help you enjoy sexual experiences.
It is also entirely possible to experience satisfying sexual relationships far into old age by taking precautions to avoid poor health, addressing underlying medical issues early on as they emerge, and using medicine to prevent sexual activity and performance concerns.
There are many options out there for preserving sex drive into old age. Here are just a few options:
Medication for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
According to a 2016 study, men have a 40% chance of having some ED in their 40s, with the risk increasing by 10% with each successive decade.4 The good news is that current ED medications can make it simple to keep an erection, even if you’re one of the many guys who suffer from ED.
Tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), sildenafil (Viagra), and avanafil (Stendra) are the most popular and commonly used drugs for treating ED. When taken before sex, these drugs make it much easier to obtain and sustain an erection, allowing you to enjoy fulfilling sexual intercourse without having to worry about ED, often for a couple of hours.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
When it comes to remaining sexually active as you get older, maintaining good physical health typically equates to good sexual health and stronger sexual desire as you age.
Simple things like exercising regularly (In particular weight training for blood flow and maintaining muscle use), eating a balanced diet, and avoiding harmful habits like drinking too much or smoking all have a beneficial influence on your sexual health. Doing these things to maintain a healthy lifestyle provides the capacity to sustain a good sex life in your 60s and 70s and potentially even longer!
Treat Any Underlying Medical Conditions
Many sexual performance issues in older guys are either directly caused or exacerbated by chronic health conditions.
Erectile dysfunction, for example, is frequently caused by high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other physical diseases often involving blood circulation or nerve damage issues that tend to worsen with age.
If you have a chronic condition or any age-related medical issues that might interfere with your sexual function, see a doctor regularly and receive treatment.
A common issue in older men is not visiting the doctor enough. If you have this terrible habit, try to break it. Make an appointment now to be proactive in screening for age-related medical conditions that might impair your sexual function and quality of life, such as prostate and cholesterol issues.
You’ll be able to deal with concerns as they emerge and maintain excellent sexual health and sexual performance at any age if you’re proactive about your health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aging and Ejaculation
At What Age Does a Man Stop Ejaculating?
Research suggests a man can maintain a healthy sex life well into old age. There is no specific age in which he stops ejaculating, although semen production typically declines with age. Often, men can continue to have sex into their 70s or 80s or beyond. Sometimes, delayed ejaculation can get in the way of healthy sexual desire, since age can delay the amount of time it takes to get hard.
What are some other ways to increase stimulation as an older man?
There are several ways to help with ED and other issues by having more stimulation to reduce ED. Oral stimulation is a top choice for older men when trying to become sexually aroused. For many people, barriers to sex can be improved through more foreplay and being in the right mood helps. Trying to force a normal experience mostly can lead to stress and possibly even relationship problems. Let things happen in their natural and usual way.
Is there a difference between people who have ejaculation issues and ED?
Yes, but they can go hand in hand. Even partial ED can make it more challenging to manage ejaculation during normal sex. With most men, there needs to be a full erection for them to be able to ejaculate and achieve orgasm.
Is premature ejaculation linked to erectile dysfunction?
Very much so! You can’t get or keep an erection if you have ED. You have an erection but attain orgasm and ejaculate early then you or your partner would have wanted if you experience premature ejaculation. Erectile dysfunction, on the other hand, might result in the development of premature ejaculation.
What is retrograde ejaculation?
During the climax, semen enters the bladder by escaping the vas deferens rather than escaping from the penis, resulting in retrograde ejaculation. This is the result of semen entering into the bladder rather than the seminal vesicles. Even if you attain sexual climax, you may ejaculate with very little or no sperm.
Retrograde ejaculation is typically due to prostate surgery and medication to help with BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Although retrograde ejaculation is not hazardous, it might result in male infertility.
What do pelvic floor muscles do?
Some of the muscles link to the base of the penis and can move it; if you can waggle your penis up and down when erect, you are activating these muscles. Ejaculation can be controlled by varying the tension of these muscles. Pelvic floor muscle training is an excellent way to help with delayed ejaculation for those suffering from premature ejaculation of their semen when involved in a sex act.
Conclusion
While sexual drive and physical capabilities may decline with age, there’s no specific point where men stop ejaculating. The ability to maintain a healthy sex life can extend well into your 70s and 80s. However, semen production and frequency of ejaculation may decrease. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation are more common concerns for older men, but there are treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help. Maintaining good health, addressing underlying medical conditions, and open communication with your partner are all key to a fulfilling sexual life as you age.
